Hi Guys, Im planning a ferry flight of a single from Malaysia through Java to Australia.Wondering about Merapi Volcano, is there much disruption to aviation and does anyone have a link to a satellite image of the ash plume? Thanks.

Ive been planning an aerial filming job there this weekend. No disruption to local domestic flights from Semerang Airport 65km to the North. DERAZONA HELICOPTERS may be able to help with flying conditions to the east. Vulcanologists say that eruptions may continue, so ensure your info is up to date.

An Thomas Cook Scandinavia Airbus A330-300 on behalf of Garuda, registration OY-VKG performing Hajj flight GA-6010 from Solo City to Batam (Indonesia) with 383 pilgrims and further on to Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), was about 30 minutes into the flight when a sulphuric smell was noticed in the cabin later followed by some slightly abnormal engine indications in the cockpit. The airplane continued to Batam for a safe landing on schedule.

The airplane was not able to continue to Jeddah on schedule due to ashes ingested by the engines while the aircraft obviously entered an ash cloud of Indonesia's Merapi volcano.

Solo City is located about 18nm east of currently active volcano Merapi, which had erupted on Oct 26th. Darwin's VAAC (Volcanic Ash Advisory Center) forecasted volcanic ash up to FL300 following that eruption. Batam is located about 635nm northwest of Merapi volcano.

The Airbus A330-300 is capable of seating 440 passengers in high density single class configuration. Garuda has leased in a number of A330-300s from Iberworld and Thomas Cook Scandinavia for the Hajj flights.

Whilst not wishing to minimise the effect of ash on aircraft engines, it is worth noting that the above report is completely wrong, although not with any malicious intent, I'm sure. The aircraft has a new engine fitted and experienced a known phenomemon of blade tip rubbing (as notified by RR). The smell was there and the engine stalled. Merapi had erupted and the aircraft took off from Solo. All facts which pointed towards ash ingestion except the first, which wasn't known by the crew. The engine was boroscoped and no evidence of ash found. The aircraft is again happliy plying its' trade on the Hajj. With reference to Merapi - keep a sharp lookout - it erupted again yesterday, although the previous ash ejection quickly dispersed.

Tyke is well informed. A quick look the VAAC chart of that day would give a better picture. At the time of the flight there was NO volcanic ash. There was an eruption at 0800Z which was after the flight landed at its destination, even so the volcanic ash cloud does not cover the route and was moving SW.